Thursday, November 29, 2007
On Parade
Africans are fascinated with foreigners. Everywhere we go, be it Adjumani, Rwanda, or even Kampala, people (the kids especially) come out of the woodwork to line the road and watch us pass by. Shouts of “how are you?” constantly follow us. Groups of kids come tearing out of the brush in order to catch a glimpse. They are constantly smiling and giggling, and when we smile back, wave, or respond, “I’m fine. How are you?” it makes their day. I feel like I’m famous or something. It’s rather fun.
Cockroaches
Do you all know that cockroaches can fly? Well, I didn’t. Not until tonight, that is. I was minding my own business when, out of the corner of my eye, I see something fly into my room by my garbage can. Thinking it was a moth who had lost its way, I get up and look around but can’t find it. Later, I’m hand-washing some of my clothes and I hear a sound from my garbage can. Oh, I think, the moth must have flown into the garbage can. So, I gallantly decide to take the moth outside and let it go free. As I am carrying the garbage can over to the door, what pops out, but a ginormous cockroach! It surprised me so much that I practically threw the can out the door! The cockroach landed on my screen door, and then proceeded to fly BACK inside. Totally freaked out now, and very thankful to be wearing flip flops, I smashed him as fast as I could. Now, as the adrenaline fades, I’m wondering…are there more? Do cockroaches travel alone or in groups? Will I wake up in the middle of the night with a cockroach staring me in the eye? What other creatures are lurking around that I haven’t seen yet? The fun things you discover while living in Africa!
Escaping CHOGM...Visit to Rwanda
CHOGM stands for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings. The Queen of England, 5,000 delegates, and 30,000 other people were expected to invade Kampala on November 23-25. Mass preparations have been done to welcome everyone: new hotels, road improvements, etc. These meetings happen once every 2 years in different locations. Uganda is making the most of her opportunity. Because of this, all is chaos! Last Thursday and Friday were declared national holidays. The streets of downtown were shut down. Some residents were told either to plan on staying inside for the entire time meetings are going on or to leave, because no one is coming in or out once things begin. Traffic, which is normally a nightmare, was going to become even more unbearable.
So, I escaped. Catharine, Megan, Holly, and I went down to Rwanda for a week in order to avoid the mess. We stayed with some missionary friends who live down here: the Bennetts. The trip from Kampala, Uganda to Kigali, Rwanda takes roughly 10 hours or so. We split it up by making several stops along the way.
Our first stop? The Equator!!! Yes, I can now say I have been to the equator. I have stood in the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere at the same time!
Crossing the border was an interesting experience. There was no warning that the border was approaching, we just kind of came upon it. There wasn’t even a sign once we got there; just a bunch of people, parked cars, some guards, and a gate across the road. Getting through the border took several steps: Ugandan immigration to get our exit stamps on our passports, Catharine had to prove ownership of the car, Rwandan immigration to get an entry stamp, and another building to buy insurance for the car. Luckily we made it through relatively quickly and with no problems.
Rwanda is a beautifully complex country. Kigali is a bustling, growing city. The countryside is full of green, rolling hills with farms in the valleys. The people are friendly and welcoming. Yet, the genocide of 1994 still greatly impacts the country, though they are trying to heal, move on, and leave it all behind. Genocide memorials are everywhere…in nearly every place a huge massacre occurred. I was able to go to two of these memorials: the main one in Kigali and a small one at a church in a town called Nyamata. Both were sobering and deeply impacting. The memorial in Kigali gave an overview of the history of Rwanda and the events that led to the genocide. There were pictures of those killed, clothing and other possessions, skulls and bones, and mass graves where many are buried.
Mass graves where the remains of many are buried.
At the church, 5,000 people were slaughtered: men, women, and children. Many things have not been altered: the doors that were wrenched open, the holes in the ceiling from bullets and grenades, broken windows, bloodstains on the altar and walls. It was hard to be in a place where so many lives were brutally taken. Even now I can’t comprehend the evil, the pain, the horror, and the devastation of the genocide. Entire families were wiped out. People are still discovering the remains of those who were murdered. Rwandans wear purple as a memorial. They also proclaim, “Never again,” as a kind of theme. I continue to pray for their healing, reconciliation, and restoration.
On a lighter note, I greatly enjoyed my time in Rwanda. I celebrated Thanksgiving while I was there (with turkey, pumpkin pie, and everything). The friends we were staying with hosted the meal and invited over many other missionaries who live in the area. The house was packed with people and food. Even though I was far from family it was neat to see God provide other friends with whom I could fellowship and celebrate.
I was also able to travel out west to a beautiful lake, Lake Kivu, and spend a couple of days relaxing and hanging out. The town where we were staying is located by an active volcano. I was able to see the steam rising from the volcano during the day and see the glow of it at night!
Holly, Me, Catharine, and Megan enjoying the beach at Lake Kivu
And, now that it is after Thanksgiving, I have been singing Christmas songs and watching Christmas movies. I have to admit, though, it is strange to be singing, “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas,” while it is eighty degrees outside. I might have to change it to, “I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas” or something…
So, I escaped. Catharine, Megan, Holly, and I went down to Rwanda for a week in order to avoid the mess. We stayed with some missionary friends who live down here: the Bennetts. The trip from Kampala, Uganda to Kigali, Rwanda takes roughly 10 hours or so. We split it up by making several stops along the way.
Our first stop? The Equator!!! Yes, I can now say I have been to the equator. I have stood in the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere at the same time!
Crossing the border was an interesting experience. There was no warning that the border was approaching, we just kind of came upon it. There wasn’t even a sign once we got there; just a bunch of people, parked cars, some guards, and a gate across the road. Getting through the border took several steps: Ugandan immigration to get our exit stamps on our passports, Catharine had to prove ownership of the car, Rwandan immigration to get an entry stamp, and another building to buy insurance for the car. Luckily we made it through relatively quickly and with no problems.
Rwanda is a beautifully complex country. Kigali is a bustling, growing city. The countryside is full of green, rolling hills with farms in the valleys. The people are friendly and welcoming. Yet, the genocide of 1994 still greatly impacts the country, though they are trying to heal, move on, and leave it all behind. Genocide memorials are everywhere…in nearly every place a huge massacre occurred. I was able to go to two of these memorials: the main one in Kigali and a small one at a church in a town called Nyamata. Both were sobering and deeply impacting. The memorial in Kigali gave an overview of the history of Rwanda and the events that led to the genocide. There were pictures of those killed, clothing and other possessions, skulls and bones, and mass graves where many are buried.
Mass graves where the remains of many are buried.
At the church, 5,000 people were slaughtered: men, women, and children. Many things have not been altered: the doors that were wrenched open, the holes in the ceiling from bullets and grenades, broken windows, bloodstains on the altar and walls. It was hard to be in a place where so many lives were brutally taken. Even now I can’t comprehend the evil, the pain, the horror, and the devastation of the genocide. Entire families were wiped out. People are still discovering the remains of those who were murdered. Rwandans wear purple as a memorial. They also proclaim, “Never again,” as a kind of theme. I continue to pray for their healing, reconciliation, and restoration.
On a lighter note, I greatly enjoyed my time in Rwanda. I celebrated Thanksgiving while I was there (with turkey, pumpkin pie, and everything). The friends we were staying with hosted the meal and invited over many other missionaries who live in the area. The house was packed with people and food. Even though I was far from family it was neat to see God provide other friends with whom I could fellowship and celebrate.
I was also able to travel out west to a beautiful lake, Lake Kivu, and spend a couple of days relaxing and hanging out. The town where we were staying is located by an active volcano. I was able to see the steam rising from the volcano during the day and see the glow of it at night!
Holly, Me, Catharine, and Megan enjoying the beach at Lake Kivu
And, now that it is after Thanksgiving, I have been singing Christmas songs and watching Christmas movies. I have to admit, though, it is strange to be singing, “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas,” while it is eighty degrees outside. I might have to change it to, “I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas” or something…
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Adjumani
Well, I hit the ground running. On Friday I flew in a little 6 seater airplane with Catharine, Megan, and Francis up to a town called Adjumani. The flight up was beautiful! Uganda is so green. Normally we would drive, but it has been raining heavily in recent weeks and the road is in terrible shape, strewn with cars and trucks that have gotten stuck. The trip should be a 5-6 hour drive, but the by-pass road that now has to be used would take us 12-14 hours! So, we were very glad to be able to go by plane.
The town of Adjumani grew up around the Sudanese refugee camps. There are perhaps 20 in the area. The city only provides electricity for 4 hours a day: from 7-11pm. Children of Hope has a site up here. Almost 150 students are enrolled in the project. While here we met with the site coordinators, the mentors, and some of the students. I am glad for the chance to meet the students and get to know them a bit.
Things take longer here in Africa. I’ve attended several 4+ hour meetings! Relationships are extremely important here. So, in meetings, things happen deliberately. Much time is given so that everyone has the opportunity to speak and share their ideas/concerns.
In Uganda, things are pronounced and phrased differently: At our hotel, Catharine is staying in a Suite (pronounced ‘suit’). I had fish fillet for lunch (fillet is pronounced as it is written, not with the usual –ay ending). When you walk somewhere, it is said you are “footing” it. A taxi is called a “special hire.” Cell phones are called “mobile” phones. You don’t say you attend a church, instead you say you “pray” at such and such a church. You don’t turn right, you “branch” right.
The town of Adjumani grew up around the Sudanese refugee camps. There are perhaps 20 in the area. The city only provides electricity for 4 hours a day: from 7-11pm. Children of Hope has a site up here. Almost 150 students are enrolled in the project. While here we met with the site coordinators, the mentors, and some of the students. I am glad for the chance to meet the students and get to know them a bit.
Things take longer here in Africa. I’ve attended several 4+ hour meetings! Relationships are extremely important here. So, in meetings, things happen deliberately. Much time is given so that everyone has the opportunity to speak and share their ideas/concerns.
In Uganda, things are pronounced and phrased differently: At our hotel, Catharine is staying in a Suite (pronounced ‘suit’). I had fish fillet for lunch (fillet is pronounced as it is written, not with the usual –ay ending). When you walk somewhere, it is said you are “footing” it. A taxi is called a “special hire.” Cell phones are called “mobile” phones. You don’t say you attend a church, instead you say you “pray” at such and such a church. You don’t turn right, you “branch” right.
I've Arrived!
In case you didn’t know, Uganda is far away! And it takes a long time to get there! Praise the Lord, though, that I had no problems during my travels. I flew out of PDX at around 3:45pm. Some close friends and family came to see me off, which was neat. As I was packing I had thought that I would have to pay for one of my bags because it was over the weight limit. At the check-in counter, I found out that both my bags could have been 70lbs, so I didn’t have to pay any extra at all! Yay! My bags were checked all the way through to Uganda, so I didn’t have to worry about having to maneuver them all by myself.
On my long flight to London, I had a great talk with the lady sitting next to me. She was from Denmark, and through discussing my work in Uganda, the door was opened to talk about many spiritual things. It was so neat to have the opportunity to be a light for Christ right away. My relationship with Jesus is the reason that I am here in Uganda. Christ has given me life, hope, and purpose. He has instilled in me love for kids and given me the opportunity to be His hands and feet to serve the kids in Uganda.
In London I was able to meet up with a family who are also WorldVenture missionaries. The Davis’s have 5 children, the oldest of which is six years old—talk about a complicated journey. With the juggling of strollers, carseats, and lots and lots of bags, not to mention keeping track of energy-filled little ones, this couple was amazing!
I was able to sleep for a few hours on this leg of the flight, which is a praise because usually I am unable to sleep on these long flights. I arrived in Uganda at 8:30am on Wednesday. I stuck with the Davis family, and because of their large family, one of the workers decided to help us out. She got all of our passports and took us to the FRONT of the immigration line. We got everything processed quickly and then went to claim our luggage. Both of my bags made it!!! Yet another answer to prayer. Several people were outside to pick us up (including Megan, my roommate), so we loaded up the luggage and began the hour long drive to Kampala.
Uganda is beautiful! It is the end of the rainy season so everything is lush and green. There are many varieties of trees and flowers. The dust has a reddish tint to it. Driving is an adventure. Ugandans drive on the left side of the road. I keep trying to get in the passenger side of the car, which just happens to be the driver’s side here. ☺
Before going to my little home, I drove with Megan to check out the missionary guest house and the offices of Children of Hope. I got to participate in the weekly Wednesday pizza feast and meet the other people who work there. They all gave me such a warm welcome. They had the office decorated with balloons and welcome signs. It was so neat.
After lunch Megan took me home. My place is cute. It is located at the back of the house that Megan and Holly (two other interns) share. I have my own room, bathroom, shower, and kitchenette. I’ll share the kitchen and living room with Megan and Holly in the big house, but I’m also thankful to have my own little area. I’ve done some unpacking, but still have more to go. I am extremely tired, but am trying to last until nightfall to hopefully get my body to transition to Ugandan time (11 hrs. ahead of Portland). We’ll see how long I make it.☺
The outside of my house.
My entrance in the back.
My bedroom.
The kitchen area.
My bathroom and shower.
On my long flight to London, I had a great talk with the lady sitting next to me. She was from Denmark, and through discussing my work in Uganda, the door was opened to talk about many spiritual things. It was so neat to have the opportunity to be a light for Christ right away. My relationship with Jesus is the reason that I am here in Uganda. Christ has given me life, hope, and purpose. He has instilled in me love for kids and given me the opportunity to be His hands and feet to serve the kids in Uganda.
In London I was able to meet up with a family who are also WorldVenture missionaries. The Davis’s have 5 children, the oldest of which is six years old—talk about a complicated journey. With the juggling of strollers, carseats, and lots and lots of bags, not to mention keeping track of energy-filled little ones, this couple was amazing!
I was able to sleep for a few hours on this leg of the flight, which is a praise because usually I am unable to sleep on these long flights. I arrived in Uganda at 8:30am on Wednesday. I stuck with the Davis family, and because of their large family, one of the workers decided to help us out. She got all of our passports and took us to the FRONT of the immigration line. We got everything processed quickly and then went to claim our luggage. Both of my bags made it!!! Yet another answer to prayer. Several people were outside to pick us up (including Megan, my roommate), so we loaded up the luggage and began the hour long drive to Kampala.
Uganda is beautiful! It is the end of the rainy season so everything is lush and green. There are many varieties of trees and flowers. The dust has a reddish tint to it. Driving is an adventure. Ugandans drive on the left side of the road. I keep trying to get in the passenger side of the car, which just happens to be the driver’s side here. ☺
Before going to my little home, I drove with Megan to check out the missionary guest house and the offices of Children of Hope. I got to participate in the weekly Wednesday pizza feast and meet the other people who work there. They all gave me such a warm welcome. They had the office decorated with balloons and welcome signs. It was so neat.
After lunch Megan took me home. My place is cute. It is located at the back of the house that Megan and Holly (two other interns) share. I have my own room, bathroom, shower, and kitchenette. I’ll share the kitchen and living room with Megan and Holly in the big house, but I’m also thankful to have my own little area. I’ve done some unpacking, but still have more to go. I am extremely tired, but am trying to last until nightfall to hopefully get my body to transition to Ugandan time (11 hrs. ahead of Portland). We’ll see how long I make it.☺
The outside of my house.
My entrance in the back.
My bedroom.
The kitchen area.
My bathroom and shower.
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